fwiw- If you decide to go with the Meoptas (which are a U.S. owned, Czech manufactured product compared to the Chinese Zen's, if that us a factor) and would consider a 10x, keep in mind Cabela's Euro binocs are re-badged Meostars and list for 100 dollars cheaper (plus the Cabelas version doesn't have the unsightly grippy bumpy surface) however they are only available in 10x and 12x versions.

fwiw, zen-ray is a U.S. owned company. Getting their products manufactured in Czech vs China. I don't see any practical difference to us. SWFA has both lines in their stock, you should call them to get some objective recommendation.

I didn't relize Meopta was a US owned company. I think I'm going to be the the Czech republic area and was hoping to save a few bucs if I bought them local, but I bet thats not the case if the company is US.

fwiw, zen-ray is a U.S. owned company. Getting their products manufactured in Czech vs China. I don't see any practical difference to us. SWFA has both lines in their stock, you should call them to get some objective recommendation.

An American company owns Meopta. Meaning they actually own both the factory and R&D facilites located in the Czech Republic.

Zen Ray is simply one or a handful of American businessmen that are picking available binocular specs from a Chinese owned production factory and then importing the product to sell here at a markup with all of the rest of the proceeds benefiting the Chinese factory and government. Eagle optics and others do the same thing and offer nearly the exact same product made by the same Chinese factory

From a business/marketing stance, that is a significant practical difference.

Meopta Prerov traces its origins back to the year 1933 when the company Optikotechna was established in Prerov, Czech Republic. Initially, Optikotechna produced lenses and condensers but quickly expanded its product line to include enlargers, composite lenses, single optics, binoculars, riflescopes, slide projectors and of course the well known Flexaret range of cameras...........

Meopta Prerov traces its origins back to the year 1933 when the company Optikotechna was established in Prerov, Czech Republic. Initially, Optikotechna produced lenses and condensers but quickly expanded its product line to include enlargers, composite lenses, single optics, binoculars, riflescopes, slide projectors and of course the well known Flexaret range of cameras...........

Then read further down the page you and you'll see where they started offering stock in the company in the early 90's. Then see where a coupl years back they became a single entity. Guess who owned the majority share of stocks. A U.S. investment firm perhaps?

I used the Meopta 8x42 side by side with a Leica Trinovid 8x42 two years ago (for a few days) and found the Meopta brighter and just as pleasing to use and look through. I also looked through the Meopta 7x42, and found it excellent, but the Zeiss 7x42 was nicer, so i ended up with the Zeiss

I know from reliable sources that the Zen Ray are extremely good optically, and that they have a slow and stiff focuser. This appears in many comments on the web. They are a fantastic value at their low price. However, the poor focuser is a deal braker for me, no matter how good the optics.

If i were buying without trying, i would buy the Meopta, most likely the 8x32, which is the best and most versatile in their line-up. I am more and more reluctant to send money to China. Their optics industry is the equal of any, their quality control can be just as good as that of any other, and i am extremely happy with my Nikon 50ED scope made in China or several other optics. My reluctance is based on political considerations.

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